NEW B.

Ed COLLEGE
NELLIMOODU,
THIRUVANANDHAPURAM 695 525

Assignment on
Theoretical base of social science education -
(Semester -)
B.Ed course 2014-2015

Sujithra S
Theoretical base of mathematics
180/14376012

SLOW LEARNERS
IN
MATHEMATICS

INTRODUCTION

Mathematical knowledge is indispensable in understanding and

controlling the force of nature mathematics in real sense is a
science of space and quantity that helps us in solving the problem
of life needing numeration and calculation. The pace of
mathematical discovery and invention has been said that
mathematical is the only branches of learning in which theories of
two thousand years old are still valid.
Most often it is being heard from teachers as well
as parents that a particular boy or girl is very weak, poor or back
ward in mathematics in saying so they generally mean that the
boys or girls is very weak, poor or backward in mathematics in
saying so they mean that the boys or girls of his or her own class.
When a student shows poor performance or lags behind is all the
subjects of the curriculum his backwardness is termed as general
backwardness. In some cases the students show satisfactory
progress in all other subject but repeatedly fail in a particular
subject. This type of backwardness is termed as specific
backwardness, backwardness in a particular subject.

CHARACTERSTICS OF SLOW LEARNERS

Although there are many possible exceptions to any given pattern,
the following might be listed as the characteristics of the slow
learners.
Intelligence quotient below 90
Has little dive
Has short span of attention
Has weak association memory
Is a poor reader
Has difficulty with abstractions
Is not logical in thinking
Lacks imagination
Is not creative in his thinking

Once the slow learners are identified, the next task is to find out
the causes for the mathematical backwardness and planning for
appropriate remedial programmers.

CAUSES AND REMADIES

Physical causes
Backwardness may be due to some physical causes
such as poor eyesight, bearing, defect or any other physical
ailment, which does not allow the child to concentrate on studies.
Remedy of all these causes lies with the physician or doctor some
sort of physical exercise may also help the child.

Lack of interest
The backwardness may be due to distaste for the
subject who may be natural or acquired. This could lead to an
unfavorable disposition towards learning mathematics. The
distaste may be due to harsh and disinterested teachers, too much
pressure by parents, faulty methods of teaching and learning etc.

Mental Disability
The mental disability may be inborn or caused
by environmental factors . The child may have low IQ , mental
conflict ,inferiority complex , feeling of insecurity , anxiety , tension
, fear , nervousness , maladjustment etc .Many of these mental
disorders can be successfully tackled by a competent teacher with

a conscious effort . Attitude of affection, sympathy and kindness

can go a long way in this regard.

In appropriate Learning Experience

The
inappropriate learning experiences
provided in the mathematic class could lead to confusion resulting
in misconception of the basic mathematical concepts. The teacher
should plan the learning experiences which are simple and relevant
for the slow learners to achieve the objectives and get the concepts
clear and clarified.

Irregular Study Habits

Mathematics is a subject of logical sequence.
Higher order concepts depend upon low order concepts. Rules and
formulae are statements of relationship among these concepts.
Therefore, a student with irregular study habits will find it hard to
understand and apply the mathematical laws and principles. Drill
and review also could help them in improving their performance.

The Teachers Indifference

Many a time the mathematics teachers
become impatient and show indifference to the slow learners who
are slow in grasping mathematical ideas and concepts. Moreover,

slow learners may not be able to perform the mathematical tasks

the same rate as their counter parts in the class.

Ineffective Methods of Teaching

The group method of teaching are not very
effective for the slow learners because their rate of learning, level
of understanding are not the same as the other students in the
class . The teacher has to give special attention to the needs of the
slow learners. In the case of slow learners, methods of
individualized instruction like programmed instruction, CAI and use
of learning packages and modules could yield better results and
facilitate effective learning.

Lack of Practice and Drill

The slow learners need more concrete
experiences for effective learning and more drill and practices for
longer retention. The teacher has to provide them with such
opportunities which would result in meaningful learning.

Lack of Facilities at Home

When the child does not have adequate time
and facilities for learning at home, it may lead to backwardness.
The teacher can help such students by arranging supervised study,

where the child can learn under the supervisor of the teacher. In
this connection the teacher can seek the help of the gifted children.

Family Background and Home Environment

The uncongenial atmosphere at home, the
negative attitude of the parents towards the subject the pressure
of the parents soon could adversely influence the students
performance in mathematics.

Irregular school attendance

The irregularity in attendance causes a serious
problem for mathematics learning as it creates a wide gap in the
students understanding of mathematical concept. Mathematics
being a sequential subject, the understanding of a concept depends
upon an earlier concept.

Lack of proficiency in fundamental lack of understanding

in basic mathematical concept.
Proficiency in mathematical operations and
understanding in basic mathematical concept are to factors that
could contribute towards better achievement. The slow learners
may lack these two fundamental aspects. Adequate drill and
practice can enhance the proficiency in fundamental skill while
review more relevant learning experiences can make the basic
concepts for the students.

Some useful classroom techniques for slow learners

o Frequent changes of activity are necessary because slow
learners have a short span of interest. Provide variety within
a period.
o Give these pupils immediate satisfaction by checking their
work as they do it.
o Make each daily lesson complete in itself so that the slow
learners can learn it easily.
o Never penalize a slow child by forcing him to work longer at
mathematics than his brighter peers.
o Always prepare pupils for verbal problems. One or two
thought problems each day are more effective then along test
at a time.
o Always make directions clear by writing them on the black
board.
o Do not try to force the slow learners to do mathematics when
they are not really interested.

CONCLUSION
In this way a child become backward in the subject
mathematics due to one or the other reasons mention above.
However, the above mentioned list of the causes should not be
treated as complete in itself. The backwardness is individual
problems and hence it may have some unique causes depending
upon the individuality of the child and his environment.
A wise teacher should try to find out all
the possible causes of backwardness of the child by developing
intimacy with the child and his parents and then accordingly plan
suitable remedial measures with the active co-operation of the
parents

REFERENCE
Teaching of mathematics
- S.K.Mangal
- Tandon publications books market Ludhiana.

Teaching of mathematics
- Anice James
- Neelkamal publications PVT- LTD

Psychological foundations if education

- Dr .K. sivarajan
- Calicut university central co-operative stores.